Counting today, I have been on a road bike about 15 times in my life, all in the last three weeks. So how is that I ended up here, getting ready to cross the country on a bike?
The biomedical engineering department at Bucknell is very small; there were only thirteen students in my year. We spent hours upon hours together and became a very tight-knit group. We would often contemplate about what would be next for us, because most of us didn’t (and still don’t) know what we would like to do when (if?) we ever grow up. The head of the department, Dr. Cavanagh, has told us plenty of stories about he did upon graduation – and they made an impression on me. He graduated from Northwestern, not really sure what was next (correct me if I’m wrong Dr. C). The day after he received his diploma, he flew out to Oregon to join his father and some other members of his church for a cross-country bike trip. Their trip was substantially different than ours. It took the group about 3 months to finish the 4,400-ish miles across the US. And they had no real timeline for the trip. For example, they spent a few extra days in a tiny Colorado town just because they had found an all-you-can-eat pasta place (which they probably put it out of business). The trip remains one of the best experiences of his life, and he has loads of other good stories about it, just ask him.
Now you can check out Frank and Walt’s blogs and see how this whole Alumni Bike Race was started. And you can look at Pat’s blog to see how he was brought in. I don’t want to repeat those parts of the story. Ever since hearing Dr. C’s story, cycling had been something that interested me, but I never got the kick I needed to get me going. The kick came in the form of an email from Frank to the rest of the group (before me, of course). I was in Washington, D.C., sitting next to Pat as he checked his email. I knew he was going on the trip, and I was, I must admit, a little jealous. Frank sent an email to the group, having realized that they might need some additional bodies to help out with the race, wondering if Pat or Walt knew of anyone who might want to join. Pat got a little grin on his face as he read the email, then turned to me and asked, “so… do ya wanna come on the bike trip with me?” A big grin broke across my face (I must of looked a little like the Grinch, except I wasn’t stealing any Christmas presents). Pat just smiled and nodded. He later called Frank and somehow talked him into letting an inexperienced cyclist join the team. Frank ended the conversation telling Pat, “well, you better call your friend.” Pat asked why. “Because he’s coming on the trip!” exclaimed Frank.
After some emails and phone calls with Frank confirming that I was indeed the newest member of the Alumni Bike Race, Pat and I decided I ought to get some practice riding a road bike. I borrowed a bike from our friend Eric in Hoboken, NJ (thanks man, nothing broken so far, on me or the bike) and Pat and I borrowed some Bucknell cycling duds from our friend Danni in DC (thank you very much, we promise we’ll wash ‘em before we give ‘em back). I had been in Lewisburg for most of the summer seeking employment and enjoying some extra time at school. Pat came to Lewisburg as well, and we have done some training rides all over central PA, racing past the occasional horse and buggy.
So here I am, now getting ready to embark on this cross-country adventure. I’ve never been farther west of Austin, TX. (On a totally unrelated note, if you have never been to Austin, Texas, y’all really ought to go check it out. It’s a wonderful town, as any Texas Longhorn can tell you.) I am excited to see the Pacific Ocean and Rocky Mountains. I like the challenge of learning a new skill quickly. And most of all, I am excited to help out my alma mater.
So that’s that. I’m about to head out and hop on my bike. I’ll talk to y’all later.
